Battle of the Books (2) - Battle of the Perkins' Boys

Battle of the Books is a (new) periodic feature that will pit two books against each other based on some commonality (characters, settings, relationships, etc.). The competitors will battle each other by way of theme-related standards, and readers (you!) will vote on the winner! This is solely for fun.

This week's battle is....

Battle of the Perkins' Boys!

So it's actually been over a YEAR since I posted this feature and I've even had this post half drafted for MONTHS. That is really embarrassing, especially since I have SO MANY IDEAS for this feature and love creating these posts. But alas, that is life. And I'm going to try really hard to not let that happen again. Anyway, for the second ever Battle of the Books I thought it would be fun to battle the swoony gentleman from Stephanie Perkins' beloved Anna and the French Kiss series because they are all amazing and I'm evil like that. But really, I'm kind of wondering if there is an overwhelming favorite. I guess now we'll find out! 

Etienne St. Clair Source Looks Messy hair, big brown eyes, short, 'English French American Boy Masterpiece' Personality Funny, confident, charming, flirty, friendly Favorite Quotes “For the two of us, home isn't a place. It is a person. And we are finally home.” “You're the most incredible girl I've ever known. You're gorgeous and smart, and you make me laugh like no-one else can. And I can talk to you. And I know after all this I don't deserve you, but what I'm trying to say is that I love you, Anna. Very Much.” Favorite Moments “I trail my fingers across his cheek. He stays perfectly still for me. “Please stop apologizing, Étienne.” “Say my name again,” he whispers. I close my eyes and lean forward. “Étienne.” He takes my hands into his.Those perfect hands, that fit mine just so. “Anna?” Our foreheads touch. “Yes?” “Will you please tell me you love me? I’m dying here.” And then we’re laughing. And then I’m in his arms, and we’re kissing, at first quickly—to make up for lost time—and then slowly, because we have all the time in the world. And his lips are soft and honey sweet, and the careful, passionate way he moves them against my own says that he savors the way I taste, too. And in between kisses, I tell him I love him. Again and again and again.”

Cricket Bell Source Looks Dark hair, blue eyes, extremely tall and lanky, stylish, cute, boy-next-door Personality  brainy, quirky, inventive, patient, sweet, graceful, energetic Favorite Quotes “I know you aren't perfect. But it's a person's imperfections that make them perfect for someone else.” “Lola?" Cricket is on his knees at the side of my bed. I feel it. "I'm here," he whispers. "You can talk to me or not talk to me, but I'm here.” Favorite Moments So you believe in second chances?" I bite my lip. "Second, third, fourth. Whatever it takes. However long it takes. If the person is right," he adds. If the person is . . . Lola?" This time, he holds my gaze. "Only if the other person is Cricket." “I'll only say this once more. I like you. I've always liked you. It would be wrong for me to come back into your life and act otherwise.” 'And I pull him down into me, and I plant my lips against his, which are loose with surprise and shock. And I kiss Cricket Bell with everything that’s been building inside of me, everything since he moved back, everything since that summer, everything since our childhood. I kiss him like I’ve never kissed anyone before.'

Josh Wasserman Source Looks Brown hair, hazel eyes, slender, tattoos, dimples, smells like citrus, sexy Personality Artistic, introspective, sensitive, romantic, witty Favorite Quotes “It doesn't matter. I'm with you. I'm happy to be anywhere with you.” "Artists are inspired by blank canvases." My smile grows wider. "A blank canvas," Josh continues, "has unlimited possibilities." Favorite Moments “Just give me your hand.” “W-what?” “Your hand,” he repeats. “Give it to me.” I extend my shaking right hand. And–in a moment that is a hundred dreams come true–Joshua Wasserstein laces his fingers through mine. A staggering shock of energy shoots straight into my veins. Straight into my heart. “There,” he says. “I’ve been waiting a long time to do that.” Not nearly as long as I've been waiting.” “What are you working on?" I ask. "The last page." He gestures towards the table, where a pencilled sketch is being turned into inked brushstrokes. It's a drawing of us, in this café, in this moment. I smile up at him "It's beautiful. But what comes next?" "The best part." And he pulls me back into his arms. "The happily ever after.”

So Who Do I Pick?

THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE. WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELF. Writing this post made me realize how much I do love all of these boys pretty equally. But since I am forcing you all to choose it is only fair.... I guess if I had to choose one it would be Etienne Bell Wasserman (kidding). Ok, here goes.... *deep breath* (please don't hate me Etienne and Josh)

Cricket Bell

Why? Because he's patient and kind and knows how to dress is oh so smart and will likely take over the world someday. Plus, I tend to like them tall and lanky. And did I mention his piercing blue eyes, yet? ;)

Your Turn to Choose!

Who is your favorite Perkins boy?

Etienne St. Clair

Cricket Bell

Josh Wasserman

I'd rather die than choose

Poll Maker

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Isla and the Happily Ever After
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Series: Anna and the French Kiss #3
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
Release Date: September 16, 2014
Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:
Love ignites in the City That Never Sleeps, but can it last?

Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart. 

Review

Oh, Isla, Isla. Of course I loved this book. It’s Stephanie Perkins! She provided yet another beautiful romantic adventure with lots of love, laughs and personal growth. I’m completely smitten, yet again.

As others have pointed out before me, Isla deviates from Perkins’ previous two books in that Isla and Josh get together in the beginning. She’s been pinning over him for years now and by a twist of fate, discovers that her feelings are reciprocated. And it’s magical. Isla and Josh were unfreakingbelievably adorable together and I was smiles for days. But then some things ensue and Isla begins to doubt everything and then proceeds to ruin everything. This is where fans around the world wanted to shake some sense into Isla. But It wouldn’t be a Perkins novel (or titled as such) if this book didn’t have a happy ending. And a happy ending it was once Isla overcame her fears and insecurities. All of our favorites come together again - yes that means Anna, Etienne, Cricket, Lola, Isla and Josh. It was the perfect conclusion to a wonderful three books.

I loved Isla and felt the most similar to her out of all three girls. She was a little awkward and had these little freakouts over Josh that I could SO relate to (in fact I do this all the time). She also had a tendency to self-destruct because, as I mentioned above, she had a lot of insecurities and fears to overcome. She wasn’t sure she was someone worthy of love. She had to learn to lover herself first. As for Josh, he was another swoon-worthy guy, of course. The artsy type! And so incredibly sweet. I can't decide which guy I like best! I love how Stephanie Perkins' writes perfectly imperfect guys and I love them all.

I loved this book when I first read it but I love it even more now after having recently attended Stephanie Perkins signing. She talked about her personal journey while writing these books and how the themes in Anna (bravery), Lola (embracing what makes you special), and Isla (learning to love yourself), reflect what she went through in her own life at the time. It put the books in a whole new perspective and I admire her for sharing something so personal.

Anna, Lola, and now Isla are some of my favorite contemporaries out there and I couldn't recommend them enough although I think their reputation is well known by this point. If you haven't started or finished these books yet, get to it!

PS: Fun fact - Stephanie Perkins' next book will be a horror. O_O